Informed Iranian sources were quoted as saying on Monday that Tehran reinforced the presence of the army and the Revolutionary Guards near the coast of the Persian Gulf, following the U.N. decision to impose tougher sanctions, including the threat of international inspections of Iranian vessels.

Quoted by the Asharq al Awsat newspaper, government sources and opposition groups in Western Iran said "There are enhancements to the presence of the army and the Revolutionary Guard and naval forces in the region of Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, overlooking the Strait of Hormuz." For its part, opposition sources near the border with Iraq said Iranian forces have already set up military barracks amid intensified movements of the Basij militia members and an unprecedented deployment of intelligence agents.

Iran on Sunday renewed its warning to Western countries regaring their intentions to inspect Iranian vessels in international waters, while stressing that it would respond harshly to any harm to their ships.